First winter burning....update...

[Ultrarunner]

Ok, so this first winter is about in the books here in SW CT, our current nor-easter storm notwithstanding. As some may remember, I'd researched this quite a bit, ramped up last summer with a wood shed, has sourced a good amount of dry wood, etc....

In Sep. I had installed a Regency i2500. It's been running non-stop since end of Oct. I can count on less than one hand, restarting the stove from cold. I've got a traditional 3200 sq. foot center-hall colonial.

 

[Niro]

Just curious do you know how much wood you went through?
I probably burn 3 cords in my insert and it still wasn't enough as I ran out few weeks back.

 

[peakbagger]

Ok, so this first winter is about in the books here in SW CT, our current nor-easter storm notwithstanding. As some may remember, I'd researched this quite a bit, ramped up last summer with a wood shed, has sourced a good amount of dry wood, etc....

In Sep. I had installed a Regency i2500. It's been running non-stop since end of Oct. I can count on less than one hand, restarting the stove from cold. I've got a traditional 3200 sq. foot center-hall colonial.

Have you had a chance to check the stack yet?

 

[spuldup]

Hey there fellow first-yearer! We're making it through as well. Burnt about 5-6 cords heating our 2800sqft contemporary with cathedral ceiling. I'm 40 now and back to my college weight. It has been a journey. Scrounging dry wood for this year and cutting wood for next year (got 7 cords). Looking forward to some time in the pool this summer.

 

[garth_2022]

I am also a first year burner on Long Island. I have the Regency Hi500/Ci2700. As we all know on the east coast this year, it was a very mild winter. I pretty much went through 3 cords non-stop burning from sometime in November until a few days ago. Now I put it on when it gets too cold. I load it at 8:30am, 4:30pm and 11:00pm.

 

[Garbanzo62]

First year here. Central CT with same insert.. Any trouble getting heat upstairs. I did not have a good stock of wood so I burned conservatively. Would love to know if you had any issues with shutting down the damper, use of the cat etc.

 

[Ultrarunner]

So, I’ve gone through 5 cords and have two more, which will be plenty to finish the season. We go on vacation early April and I’ll have the stack checked. No issues utilizing the side damper and catalyst. I get the stove up to 600-700 degrees, engage it and then partially close the side draft. Stove still plenty warm in the morning. My upstairs will keep a steady 62, which is fine for us. The upstairs heat zone will typically kick on in the very early morning on colder nights <25. Downstairs keeps a steady 67 to 72 in the stove room.

 

[Garbanzo62]

So, I’ve gone through 5 cords and have two more, which will be plenty to finish the season. We go on vacation early April and I’ll have the stack checked. No issues utilizing the side damper and catalyst. I get the stove up to 600-700 degrees, engage it and then partially close the side draft. Stove still plenty warm in the morning. My upstairs will keep a steady 62, which is fine for us. The upstairs heat zone will typically kick on in the very early morning on colder nights <25. Downstairs keeps a steady 67 to 72 in the stove room.

I've probably gone through 1.5 cords. But since I knew I was deficient on wood, there would be days I did not burn if it was warm., and smaller burnss during the day. At night I had the side damper closed all the way. Similar temps in the house. When you said partially closed, are you talking 1/2, 3/4 7/8? What species of wood have you been burning?

 

[Ultrarunner]

So, I’ve experimented with the damper. Last night for example I brought the stove temp up to 600 or so, let it stabilize, closed the side draft 3/4, engaged the catalyst and turned the blower to high do you have a special. So a relatively slow burn all night. I came downstairs this morning with a temp of 64. Opened up the stove and turned over the cold, they were still super hot. Threw in some logs and poof!

Burning mostly oak and maple. With some black walnut in there as well.